DISCLAIMER: I do not own Escaflowne or any of the characters. This is of my own deranged and demented thoughts.

Author's notes:

Japanese words used in this chapter

Nai - No Hai - Yes Akambo - Baby

The song sung by Sora later on in this chapter is the one she sang in the Escaflowne movie to call Hitomi to Folken. I will list the literal translation and the translation used by bandai.

Literal English Version:

You were the first dragon ~ My beloved ~ I've been watching you ~ From atop the fairy stump~

How beautifully did the water touch those lips ~ How you shone at the spearhead of battle ~

La la la la la la la la la...~ Because you flew away ~ La la la la la la la la la...~ The sky is unseen to me ~

Let's just sell this spinning-wheel ~ So everything will be illusion ~

My beloved ~ You were the first dragon ~

Bandai Subtitle Version:

In the darkness, the dragon wakes ~ To a heart numbed with cold, the dragon roars ~ With you by my side, the dragon sleeps ~ When the dragon gains wings ~ Into the sky, our hopes will leap ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ October 31st, Halloween

Hitomi stood in front of her mirror admiring what she had created. She wore a key lime spaghetti-strap dress. The bottom fell right above her knees and was tattered, much like Tinker Bell's dress. The dress fit her body perfectly (as all other dresses do in fan fictions or anime shows :wink:). Hitomi had a slim figure with curves in the right places. She was not Pamela Anderson in the upper body respects, but she was not flat, she was just right. Since the night was warm, she decided to go bare legged. Hitomi could afford too, after years of strenuous track training her legs were toned and slender. Bending down she put on a pair of brown lace up sandals. The criss-cross laces worked their way up her calf and ended at the crook in her knee. Next Hitomi went over to her bed and picked up a pair of faerie wings. They were a pale white, almost translucent, she slipped her arms through the nylon loops that were attached to the wings and adjusted them so they were snug but not uncomfortable. She still wore her pink pendant, which her grandmother gave her. It rested nicely in the V cut of her dress but did not draw too much attention. Her hair was just as it always was, Hitomi never did anything to her hair. A light silver powder coated her eyelids and a similar shade of lip stick made her lips a pale violet. The last thing Hitomi did was put on her mask. It was a simple key lime colored domino mask. A soft knock came at her window, Sora stood outside dressed as a faerie also. Except she was in a baby blue strapless dress. The bottom cut from her mid thigh to mid calf and had ruffles. Her pair of wings were about the same hue of violet that Hitomi's lips were. Sora also had on a mask, but one that matched her dress. "Ready?" "Hai." Hitomi called down to her mother that they were leaving. A quiet "OK" sounded from somewhere downstairs. Hitomi loved her mother, but at times they had nothing in common and felt like strangers living together. Hitomi crawled out of the window making sure not to rip her wings or her dress. ~~~~~~~~~~~ They arrived at the school close to 7:45. The school was outlined by the setting sun and all Hitomi could do was stare at it. "Wow, this place is huge." Sora giggled mischievously as she pulled Hitomi through the throng of masqueraders. Hitomi soon lost Sora, so she walked around looking for her. All of a sudden a pair of muscular hands grabbed her waist and hoisted her above the crowd. The song "Stupid Girl" was playing, and quite frankly she did feel stupid. She felt hands underneath her passing her along to the next person and with each hand her fear grew stronger. Crowd surfing was something she never wanted to do. As her uneasiness grew her pendant started to glow stronger. Soon she couldn't feel the hands anymore. Hitomi let out a shrill scream as she plummeted towards the gym floor. She covered her face with her arms and shut her eyes bracing herself for the landing and the pain. But no pain came. She opened her eyes, her nose was one inch from the floor. Above her was someone holding onto her waist. The callused hands brought her gently upright and then turned her around. "An angel..." She gasped when she saw her rescuer. He was dressed as an angel, or not dressed. He wore a pair of loose white yoga pants and magnificent white wings jutted from his back. He wore no shirt, her eyes traveled up and down him. His muscles gleamed and rippled as he moved (can't really describe this but he is built not regular built but built built like pecs, abs, his arms.. oh don't get me started on the arms, everything is just completely rock hard but lean not body builder bulky if ya know what I mean). Feeling embarrassed she looked up into his face. He wore a white mask but his maroon eyes shown through. They were warm looking, if that's even possible and he had a mass of unruly jet-black hair that hung loosely over those tantalizing eyes. He had tan skin, almost had a golden glow to it, you could tell this guy spent a lot of time shirtless in the sun working out. His face was angular but it suited him well. She blushed a little at what she was thinking by now, so she looked at his mouth. It was moving but she couldn't hear anything. "Are you OK?" Van (by now all you Van fans would know it was him duh so I decided to put his name in) reached out and gently shook her shoulder. Snapping out of her stupor she stammered out an answer. "Uhh.. hai. Thanks for.uhhh..saving me there." He smiled. Hitomi thought, "Man he has a sexy smile." "No problem, it's always a pleasure to save a damsel-in-distress and especially one as beautiful as you." He dropped his hand from her shoulder when he said this. Van's deep tenor voice thrilled her. He studied her for a minute. His eyes traveled over her taking in what he saw. "She must be new. I don't recognize the voice." He thought. "I couldn't forget a voice like hers." His eyes locked with hers, embarrassed Hitomi looked away. When she turned back, he was gone. "What?! Where'd he go?" Hitomi looked at the people around her, they were all dancing and talking to each other completely oblivious to her or the angel-boy. She shook her head as if to erase it, like and etch -e- sketch. "Maybe I imagined it all, maybe I imagined him." Not sure of herself she smoothed her dress out and started her search for Sora again. Unfortunately luck was not on her side. Not looking where she was going, Hitomi ran into a girl dressed like a Chinese fighter. She stood a little taller than Hitomi and was built the same way as Hitomi, but a little more endowed than herself. The girl's ashen hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and it cascaded down to her waist. Hitomi looked up into her face, her full lips were pulled into a frown and her icy blue eyes glared at Hitomi. "Uhh...sorry about that." Hitomi quipped. "Wow, I'm doing a great job tonight." She thought with sarcasm. "You just pushed your luck girl." The girl seethed as she moved into a fighting position. Her black outfit gleamed in the low light and her eyes penetrated Hitomi. "Are you serious?" Hitomi croaked. "Dead serious." "Alright." Hitomi removed her wings and handed them to one of the people that was forming a wide circle around the two. Hitomi went down into a similar crouch. The other girl launched herself at Hitomi and thrust a fist towards Hitomi's face. At the last second Hitomi blocked the punch and swung the girl around on her momentum. After she let go, Hitomi let out a kick to the girl's stomach and sent her flying back into the crowd. The crowd gaped at Hitomi as she walked towards the downed girl. Hitomi stuck out her hand to the girl when she was above her. From the floor the girl gazed up at the Tinker Bell look alike, seeing that she meant no harm the girl grasped the hand that was held out to her. Hitomi scratched her head with her free hand. "Sorry about that.." she trailed off. "Nai, don't be. I'm just a little miffed tonight. I should be the one saying sorry. I'm Millerna Aston." The girl said cheerfully as she shook Hitomi's hand. "I'm Hitomi Kanzaki. I'm new." "You must be, I don't recognize the name. You're tough too, that was freakin awesome, I haven't had my butt kicked by anyone in a long time, minus this one guy named Van." They let go of each others hands and walked through the crowds of teenagers. "So you're new, eh?" Millerna inquired in this is-that-a-fact kind of voice. "Hai." Hitomi retrieved her wings before she found a spot next to Millerna on the floor. "You're not one for many words are you Hitomi Kanzaki?" "Nai, well not right now. I can be very talkative though when needed or put under torture." The two girls laughed heartily at the comment. "Well I hope you're in some of my classes tomorrow." Millerna sighed. "I hope I can FIND my classes tomorrow, this place is huge!" Hitomi responded with rue in her voice. A sound caught Hitomi's and Millerna's ear, a girl crying. Sora came running down the hall, skidded at the intersection, and then ran into the bathroom. Millerna and Hitomi looked at each other dumbfounded. Footsteps resounded on the floor from where Sora came, they turned their heads. A man with short pale blue hair and dark sienna eyes was running. His four black angel wings were fluttering, like the other angel he was well built and shirtless. His face was hard and had a jutting square chin. He called out in a baritone voice. "SORA!" He halted at the intersection halls and turned towards Hitomi and Millerna. Both pointed to the girls' bathroom. He ran down to the bathroom and stood outside of the door. In a calming voice he tried to ease the girl's sobs. "Sora, Sora I have no choice. It just can't be the way it was before, not anymore. But I still love you dangit!" The cries grew louder. "Folken," a high strung voice rang out from a boy in a Dare Devil costume. "There's nothing you can do right now, just let her be." Folken's head fell down in agreement and disappointment as he trudged away from the bathroom door. "Come on man, let's get you out of here." The Dare Devil said. His red eyes bore sympathy for the love lorn man. Hitomi and Millerna, again, watched Folken was led away by the Dare Devil. Hitomi stood up and dusted off her dress. "I better go now, Sora probably needs all the friends she can get." "Both of us better go in there." As they entered the bathroom Sora soon came into view. She lay on the floor being held by a girl dressed up like cat woman. Her body was racked with sobs and she could barely support herself, in all Sora looked fragile and broken at the same time. "Sora, Akambo, it's ok..." Hitomi said to Sora as she knelt down next to her. She gently pulled Sora's hair away from her tear stained face. "What happened Sora?" "It (gasp) will take (another gasp) to long to explain Hitomi." "Are you going to be alright?" Hitomi stroked her hair. This time the cat woman answered. "Eventually, Millerna why don't you fill her in and go find Dilandau and Dryden." "Right, Merle." Millerna answered with quick nod. Millerna pulled Hitomi away from Sora without much effort. As they were walking Millerna began to reveal Sora's story. "First off all the guy with the black angel wings is Folken Fanel. He's a student teacher at this school. He's going for his degree in teaching Art. He is about 21, not that old, he also has a little brother in our grade named Van. Haven't seen Van yet tonight. But back to Sora. Before Folken got assigned to teach at this school they were dating each other. Folken lives near to Sora so they've known each other practically their whole lives. One day Sora, when she was a freshman and Folken a senior, one day she was feeling a bit depressed so she came before school to the choir room...."

*Flashback* Sora peered around the corner and snuck into the choir room, little to her knowledge Folken was in the room reading behind the stands. When she got in she looked around to make sure no one was in sight. The stands gleamed beneath the fluorescent lights as she tiptoed towards the piano. With on quick fluid movement Sora adjusted the bench and sat down at the piano. A simple but melancholy harmony soon developed at the hands of Sora. She began to sing, her voice was clear but a little subdued. (The song from Escaflowne that she sang) Win dain a lotica En vai tu ri Si lo ta Fin dein a loluca En dragu a sei lain Vi Fa-ru les shutai am En riga-lint (She closed her eyes and swayed to the unheard rhythm.) Win chent a lotica En vai tu ri Si lo ta Fin dein a loluca Si katigura neuver Floreria for chesti Si entina (Folken watched between the cracks in the stands.) La la la la la la la la la... Fontina blu cent De cravi esca letisimo La la la la la la la la la... De quantian La finde reve (By then Folken, transfixed and hypnotized by Sora's voice, dropped his book and walked in a slow pace to the piano.) Win dain a lotica En vai tu ri Si lo ta Fin dein a loluca En dragu a sei lain Vi fa-ru les shutai am En riga-lint The song ended and Sora opened her eyes to see Folken leaning on his elbow watching her with obvious intent. She blushed. "Why didn't you ever tell me you could sing?" He asked in a whisper. Before Sora could answer Folken swung down onto the piano bench nest to her and kissed her softly. As Folken began to pull away Sora realized what he had just done and pulled him back into a kiss. * End of flashback* "Both were really surprised about how they felt towards each other. They're totally in love with each other but since Folken is a student teacher here he can't date her, school policies and all. He's as hurt as she is I just hope they can make it through this year." Millerna sighed as she ended. Hitomi just walked in silence next to her looking at the floor. She knew how Sora felt, not to be able to be with someone she loved. She missed her dad and her friends in Scotland with a fierce passion. Hitomi's head perked up when Millerna spotted Dilandau and Dryden. The two of them led the Dare Devil (which turned out to be Dilandau), and a guy named Dryden who was dressed like a 14th century monk(except he still had all of his gorgeous hair). All of them wore express of worry and fatigue. When the group reached the bathroom Merle came out supporting Sora, whose snow white hair had been let down to cover her face. Dilandau and Dryden took Sora and Merle and left the building in a silent rush. The two girls stood and watched as they left and then decided to return to the darkened dance room. Saying a quick good-bye Millerna left to dance again while Hitomi studied her new school. The song "Angel" by Massive Attack came on over the speakers, couples starting dancing slowly with one another. So Hitomi decided to find a spot to sit down against the wall. She sat with her legs stretched out in front of her and her wings being crushed by the wall. The voice of the singer filled the room. "You are my angel...come from way above..." Van regarded the girl from across the room. She had a slim but nice figure; her skin was pale, smooth, and soft to the touch. His body shivered in remembrance. He chuckled at the way she was sitting, not the most lady like position with her legs apart, especially for wearing a dress. The girl's eyes and lips seemed to enchant him the most. The eyes were a deep hazel with little flecks of gold in them, and the lips were full and pale. Both seemed so shocking against the ivory skin of her face. "Love you love you love you love you love you..." The quiet voice of the singer chanted. He stood up from his crouched position and glided over towards the girl. "Mind if I join you?" Hitomi looked up startled. "You are my angel...come from way above..." The singer reiterated. Remembering herself and her manners she responded. "Sure, if you want to." She patted the piece of floor next to her. She laughed as he struggled to get to the floor with his wings on. Van responded by "accidentally" turning his shoulder to bat Hitomi in the face with his right wing. "Hey now!" "What did I do something?" He asked innocently while trying to hold back his laughter. They locked eyes and Hitomi tried to act furious at the angel. "Love you love you love you love you..." The singer died out and the song ended in a hush. Hitomi lost it first, she burst out laughing. Holding her stomach she started to fall over onto Van. That was the last straw from Van, his deep throated laugh soon filled the air. They fell over each other unable to stop laughing. Tears started to form in their eyes and their stomachs began to ache. A couple of minutes later their laughter died down. "What were we laughing about?" Hitomi squeaked between giggles. Gasping to breathe Van managed a weak , "I have no clue." Composing themselves they were able to talk again. "So you're new?" "Does it show that much? Hai, I am. I just moved to here from Scotland." Hearing this Van quirked one of his thin black eyebrows. "So is it true, that the men don't wear anything under those skirt things?" "You mean kilts?" "Hai, those things." "I really wouldn't know. I don't go around de-kilting guys." She blushed a little. "Hey for all I know you might have had a fetish for it." He commented playfully. Hitomi jabbed the angel in the ribs with her elbow. Van (the angel) pretended to be hurt, so in response Hitomi continued by poking him in the stomach. Eventually, Hitomi stopped so they watched the crowd together. Upon seeing a couple dressed as Cinderella and Prince Charming, Hitomi leaned over and asked him who they were. "Oh, that's Yukari and Amano. We call them 'The Couple Charming' mainly because well... you'll see once you meet them." "K." Hitomi's eyes scanned the room and landed on a guy in a knight costume. He had long blonde hair that looked like it had taken him hours to do. She whispered out loud to the angel. "I spy with my eye something that starts with a 'P.' Pretty boy." She pointed. Van followed the long graceful finger towards the person. "Allen Schezar." He spat out in disgust. Hitomi regarded the circle of girls around him. "He's a player I take it?" "The worst. Never ever, get Millerna Aston on the subject of him, she'll rip you to shreds." "Thanks for the heads up." She rolled her eyes with drama. Hitomi looked for a clock, 10:30 already. "AHHHH!! I have to get home." Hitomi bounded to her feet. Van turned his head and saw the time also. "Yea I should too." Hitomi held out her hand to Van. "You might need my help. You had a little trouble sitting down with those wings on. Who knows what will happen if you try to stand up by yourself." Hitomi suppressed a giggle at the thought of the angel struggling to stand up. Grasping her hand while saying a quick "Shut up." Van pulled himself off the ground. Suddenly he was inches from her, seeing how close they were he took a step back and said lead the way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finally after taking the wrong turn five times the came to Hitomi's street. Hitomi thanked him for bringing her home. She turned and started to climb the tree to get to her window when he spoke. "Hey, need help?" "Nai, I'm good, thanks anyways. I'll see you tomorrow at school!" "Hai, see you tomorrow." Thirty seconds later Hitomi was in her room safe and collapsed on the bed in a deep sleep. Van waited until she got into her window before he started down the street. The breeze had picked up a little bit and it pushed his hair out of his maroon eyes. "Hai, see you whoever you are, maybe I won't be stupid enough not to ask your name." Van thought. He started to jog and then broke out in a run down the street. His wings moved and then stretched out as he soon took flight off into the night sky. (And ya'll thought they were fake.. hahahahahah...)